Later Mughals (The Fast Changes)

 Rafi ud-Darajat

Mirza Rafi ud-Darajat was the 11th Mughal Emperor, he lived for (1 December 1699 to 6 June 1719). He was the youngest son among all sons of Rafi-ush-Shan, the nephew of Azim-ush-Shan and grandson of Bahadur Shah I.

Potrait of Rafi-ud Darajat

Source - Wikipedia

He was just a puppet ruler of the Sayyid brother also known as "King Makers", he become emperor when Farrukhsiyar was executed by the Sayyid brothers with the help of Maharaja Ajit Singh and the Marathas in 1719 

1. Reign

Rafi-ud-darajat become emperor with the help of Sayyid brothers namely as Sayyid Hassan Ali and Sayyid Hussain Ali, who executed previous Emperor Farrukhsiyar with the help of Ajit singh and Balaji Vishwanath (Peshwa) in 1719 which give them the title of "King Makers". He is a weak and only a puppet ruler.

Being helped by Marathas, Rafi-ud-Darajat return the favour by granting Marathas rights over Chauth and Sardeshmukhi, (the two revenue sources and taxes implement of the regions control by marathas). The only condition give is that these would be collected by Mughal Officers and then be handed to Marathas.

His Reign has a lot of disturbance because of his uncle. On 18 May 1719, Nekusiyar assumed the Mughal throne at the Agra Fort with the help of Sawai Jai Singh II and Mitrasen, Jai Singh wanted the prominance in Mughal Court so he made Nekusiyar the New Mughal Emperor and Nekhusiyar also found him eligible for the throne.

But this revolt remain short as Sayyid Brothers crushed the revolt and imprisoned Nekusiyar in the Salimgarh Fort, he was well received by Amir-ul-Umara, there he died in 1723.

2.Death and Succession

After Feeling sick and know his Disease. Rafi-ud-Darajat requested Sayyid brothers to let his older brother Rafi-ud-Daulah to be the Emperor and enthroned him. Rafi-ud-Darajat died on 6 June, 1719 because of Tuberculosis said by most historian but historian Kamwar Khan says that he was murdered by Sayyid Brothers because he wanted prominance aside of the Sayyid Puppet. He was succeeded by his older brother Rafi-ud-Daulah namely as Shah Jahan II two days later after his death. He was interred near the shrine of Sufi saint Khawaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki at Mehrauli in Delhi.

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Shah Jahan II

Shah Jahan II originally named as Mirza Rafi-ud-Daulah, lived from June 1696 - 17 September 1719 and was the 12th Mughal Emperor in 1719.

Potrait of Rafi-ud-Daulah

Source - Wikipedia

After the death of his younger brother, Sayyid brother chose Rafi-ud-Daulah as the next Emperor of the Mughal Empire. He was crowned on  6 June 1719. Though Shah Jahan II was also a puppet ruler and all power were in hands of Sayyid Brothers.

Shah Jahan II original name was Rafi-ud-Daulah. He was the second son of Rafi-ush-Shan and a grandson of Bahadur Shah I. His exact brith date is unknown but it was believed that he was born eighteen monts earlier than his younger brother Rafi-ud-Darajat. It is still unknown if he is married or have any child yet.

1. Reign

Shah Jahan II ascended the throne on 6 June 1719 after the death and request by his brother Rafi-ud-Darajat due to tuberculosis. His crownship was taken place in Diwan-e-Khas of the Red Fort. He took the title of Shah Jahan II.

Just like his younger brother, he was also a puppet of the Sayyid brothers and all powers are in hands of them, he wielded no power. His name in the Kutbah was read first time on 13 June. His first apperance at diwan-e-aam was on 13 June. Without the presence of Sayyid brothers he is not allowed to meet any noble/minister or to attend the Namaz or Jummah.

2. Death

Shah Jahan II suffered from tuberculosis just like his younger brother. He was psysically and mentally unfit to become a ruler, even he cannot move of his own. He died on 17 September 1719 at Bidyapur. He was buried aside of his brothed Rafi-us-Darajat at the dargah at Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki at Mehrauli in Delhi.

Historian Kamwar Khan says that he was poisoned by the Sayyid brothers, but historian William Irvine who have written the Later Mughals with Jadunath Sarkar disagreed with this and says that Emperor diarrhoea was the opium addiction. Kamwar Khan was upset because of his prospects ruined by the death of Shah Jahan II and that Sayyid gain nothing from Shah Jahan II death.

In my opinion he was died due to diarrhoea because he was a puppet of the Sayyid brothers so why would they poisen him, which have no benefit for them. 

Both these rulers ruled a short time after the death of Rafi-ud-Daulah, Sayyid brothers bring out a New face, 17 years old Muhammad Shah who become the Next Emperor and end the Sayyid Brothers.